Sunday, February 24, 2008

A Weekend Split With Phantoms

The Hershey Bears played in Philly Friday night and at home in Hershey on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phantoms. They managed to play good hockey Friday night in a 3-2 win and apparently no hockey on Saturday as they fell 5-3.

Friday's game was won by Josef Boumedienne with a goal about 4 minutes into the second period. After that no one else scored and the Bears won 3-2. Both teams had 24 shots in that game with Freddie Cassivi and Brian Boucher in net for the Bears and Phantoms respectively.

Saturday's game was a little different. The Bears came out determined in the first 20 minutes and were up 3-0 after the first period. But then they stopped playing, a problem that seems to be recurring. Kyle Wilson (18th of the year), Jay Beagle (13th), and Andrew Joudrey (8th) scored in the first and no Bears could score again. This time both teams had 32 shots with Scott Monroe making some important saves after allowing the 3 goals in the first. Freddie Cassivi once again got the start and couldn't quite get the job done.

It was a physical game that included 3 fights and 20 penalties overall, with each team getting called for 10. Boyd Kane was the difference maker for the Phantoms. Remember the name? Yes he was the Bear's captain when they won the Cup 2 years ago. And now he is back in Philly leading a solid Phantoms team towards a division crown. He had 2 goals and 2 assists to pace the Phantoms last night. Both of his goals, his 12th and 13th this season, came on Phantoms power plays in the second. He tied the game with 2 minutes to go in period number 2.

The Bears just couldn't get anything going. According to Coach Bob Woods, "It wasn't our young guys, it was our older guys playing stupid, taking bad penalties, being cute." He continues with "We've had that problem a lot of the year, where we've had guys that were on their own page. There are still guys there that want to continue to do that. If guys are going to do that, they're not going to be here. Plain and simple."

Woods was referring to the trade deadline on Tuesday and that playoff rosters need to be set on Thursday. I could probably guess some of the players that are not playing as part of the team but will not do so because I wasn't there. Some of the games I saw though are probably good indicators of who it is. They have been consistent in their inability to play as part of a team.

I said around midyear that I thought this team could make a run for the Calder Cup. I still believe that but certain things have to happen. And right now they are not happening. That is at least 3 games in the past 2 weeks that the Bears have blown at least a 2 goal lead in a game to lose. If it doesn't stop soon, the Bears may not make it through the first round.


News and Notes:

Grant Potulny was loaned to Springfield earlier this week for D Danny Syvret. I am not sure if this move was good or not. Syvret will provide needed depth and experience on the blueline but Potulny was the second leading scorer. Time will tell.....

Sami Lepisto and Eric Fehr were called back up to Washington on Friday. Lepisto saw action in last night's Caps game with Carolina.

Boumedienne has a 16 game point streak going and needs one more to be the definite top defenseman in that category. There are 5 forwards in Bears history who have gotten points in 17 straight games. Boomer can tie that mark tonight in Hershey.

The Bears play host to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight in Hershey. The game is surely sold out. I tried to get tickets on Tuesday but there were very few left.

No comments: